Gems & Hidden Histories on Route 66

Really nice series! I like the fact you do the history of the locations and you've captured them, some just before they're gone. I'll stay tuned!
 
I finally had a chance to watch the youtube videos. Wow, they are great with a lot of information. I sent a link to my buddy on Maui who will be riding with me.

We will be starting our ride at the Harley Museum 16 May in Milwaukee. We have both been motorcycling for years but my first Harley did not happen until last year. And I am picking his Road Glide up in Birmingham, Al., on Saturday and returning it to St Louis where we will meet. I am hoping to stop at Tamarkin in Chicago as we start the route officially as I have been dealing with them for years but have never visited the store.

Film M with 35/90 or 3f and X100F?
 
Sounds exciting.

If you have a way to get the film back and forth, and a way to keep any color film cool as you travel, I'm a film shooting guy. But if not, go with the digital. But again, padding is your friend for the cameras as the bikes vibrate much more than we humans sense, and the cameras will pick it all up.

Just got some bad news on my summer motorcycle travel. Sold the Sportster and bought a 2017 BMW R nineT Pure a few years ago thinking it would be better for long distance travel. Love the bike EXCEPT for the tubed wheels, which are mounted on drilled out tubeless rims, with tubeless tires mounted. When you get a flat on the road, you're in serious trouble. It's neigh on impossible to unmount the tires with tire irons because of the heavy beads and high bead walls on the rims. You can't get the tubes out to patch or replace them. So I've been trying to get a set of Kineo tubeless wheels for going on six months now. Every time I think we're good to go, the order gets canceled because the factory making them has pretty much crashed since Covid. So now I may not be making a summer trip on the bike. Bummer.

Best,
-Tim
 
All my bikes have tubeless tires. Routinely carry a plug kit and electric air pump. Had to use it a couple times up on the AlCan highway on one of my three rides to Alaska. I really hope the US/Canada border opens in July or August. And honestly, my 08 BMW GSA with 90000 miles is my favorite but Route 66 requires American iron.

Not really into kitch but there is enough Americana along Route 66 that it will be fun. I am always amazed at the numbers of foreign visitors who come here to ride or drive Route 66. Of course the number of foreign tourists in Alaska probably exceeds American tourists from the lower 48.
 
Sounds exciting.

If you have a way to get the film back and forth, and a way to keep any color film cool as you travel, I'm a film shooting guy. But if not, go with the digital. But again, padding is your friend for the cameras as the bikes vibrate much more than we humans sense, and the cameras will pick it all up.

Just got some bad news on my summer motorcycle travel. Sold the Sportster and bought a 2017 BMW R nineT Pure a few years ago thinking it would be better for long distance travel. Love the bike EXCEPT for the tubed wheels, which are mounted on drilled out tubeless rims, with tubeless tires mounted. When you get a flat on the road, you're in serious trouble. It's neigh on impossible to unmount the tires with tire irons because of the heavy beads and high bead walls on the rims. You can't get the tubes out to patch or replace them. So I've been trying to get a set of Kineo tubeless wheels for going on six months now. Every time I think we're good to go, the order gets canceled because the factory making them has pretty much crashed since Covid. So now I may not be making a summer trip on the bike. Bummer.

Best,
-Tim

Tim have you ever put Slime in your tires? I know it’s not completely foolproof but it does actually work well on minor punctures. I ran Slime in my 1966 SuperHawk’s tires and - maybe it was just luck - but during my ownership of it I never got a flat.
 
Thanks Vince. Last year, as I was prepping for the annual ride to Sturgis (hoping the pandemic would be over in time, it wasn't, I stayed home) I bought some Slime because I knew I couldn't get any tubeless rims in time. Thinking I would use it in an emergency. Have heard good things and bad things about it. So it worked well for you? Did you ever get a nail thru the tire, that you noticed?

Best,
-Tim
 
Thanks Vince. Last year, as I was prepping for the annual ride to Sturgis (hoping the pandemic would be over in time, it wasn't, I stayed home) I bought some Slime because I knew I couldn't get any tubeless rims in time. Thinking I would use it in an emergency. Have heard good things and bad things about it. So it worked well for you? Did you ever get a nail thru the tire, that you noticed?

Best,
-Tim

I don’t believe I ever got a nail in my motorcycle’s tires (I did put considerable miles on that bike despite its age and size, so it must have been sheer dumb luck), but I actually just got one in my Jetta and the Slime sealed it up just fine. Thing about it is that you have to put it in the tire/tube while the tire is still all intact, then you ride the bike for some miles to spread the Slime evenly throughout the tire/tube. I’m not sure that it’s meant to be put in the tire after the flat has occurred, though I could be wrong in that regard.
 
Just subscribed to your YouTube series. Looking forward to watching it.
My Great Uncle Ray in Michigan gifted me a 1978 Corvette Silver Anniversary Edition back in 2015. I wanted to drive it back to my home in Colorado. My daughter said she needed a road trip so we decided to drive as far as we could on Route 66. We started the Mother Road in Chicago and parted just shy of Santa Fe with plans to finish the Route sometime in the future. Due to time constraints, we did it in 4 days but we packed many experiences into it.
The Roger Miller Museum in Erick, OK was a gem! Unfortunately it closed due to funding in 2017.
Pontiac, IL was an early gem with its Bob Waldmire exhibits.

2015-06-22-15-38-12-1.jpg
 
Thank you Ellisson.

Stoutstuff, you have a very generous Great Uncle. I remember that car when it came out. Beautiful. And nice shot by the Route 66 museum sign.

Best,
-Tim
 
I think I have a fair amount of Route 66 stuff buried in my photos. I just enver seperated them out. I have lived/worked along or near Rt 66 (San Bernardino Co., Pasadena, etc.) for many years. Here are a couple that I think fit the bill.

This is Classic Rt. 66

Cabazon Dinosaurs by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr

Robin's BBQ in East Pasadena was after classic Route 66, but before the official decommissioning (1985) and played up a lot of the themes. This was taken the year before they closed.


Counter scene at Robins BBQ in Pasadena by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
 
I never went to Robin's BBQ, but too many times I've passed Cabazon. The now Cabazon would have fitted in beautifully with the old Route 66: tacky outlet stores, goofy wind power towers, fast food, Indian Casino, etc.
 
I never went to Robin's BBQ, but too many times I've passed Cabazon. The now Cabazon would have fitted in beautifully with the old Route 66: tacky outlet stores, goofy wind power towers, fast food, Indian Casino, etc.

Now they paint the dinosaurs for different holidays, etc. (Valentines). I do not think they did that in the past. I guess they are trying to keep it alive.

Robin's was pretty good food. Too bad they closed.
 
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